Soft Tissue Engineering Using Acellular Dermal Matrix Allograft For Dental Root Coverage: A Case Report

Abstract

Esthetics forms an integral part of today’s world. In this article we will delve into the predicament of treating the receded gingiva by soft tissue engineering using acellular dermal matrix (ADM) allograft. A young female of 37 years visited our private periodontal office with Miller’s Class II gingival recession of 4mm in the mandibular left central incisor. A mucogingival surgery with ADM using a tunneling technique for root coverage was employed. The clinical parameters measured were the clinical gingival recession, the clinical attachment level and the probing depth. At 6 months postoperative assessment, 50% reduction in probing depth, 83.33% of attachment gain and 100% of clinical recession root coverage were recorded which were found to be maintained at 2 year postoperative follow-up too with the exception of probing depth which was found to be increased. In view of the encouraging results obtained in this case study, while being mindful of the potential limitations and differences, root coverage with ADM in conjunction with tunneling technique is found to be a predictable alternative to conventional procedures.